Ghanaian Government Strengthens Security Measures and Public Service Delivery Across the Nation

The Ministry of the Interior has announced a revision of curfew hours in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region to enhance local security. Effective July 13, 2026, the new curfew will run from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., relaxing the previous 5:00 p.m. start time. Signed by Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak upon advice from the National Security Council, the directive maintains a strict ban on arms possession. Simultaneously, the Ghanaian government is preparing to evacuate nearly 900 citizens from South Africa starting July 25, 2026. High Commissioner Benjamin Quashie confirmed that daily flights would operate for registered and screened individuals following recent xenophobic violence, marking the conclusion of mass government-sponsored repatriations in the region.

In a major push for decentralization and infrastructure development, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has commissioned a new operational office in Salaga. Member of Parliament for Salaga South, Hon. Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahimah, described the facility as a historic milestone that will eliminate the need for residents to travel long distances for vehicle registration and licensing. This effort is complemented by the Bono East Region's acquisition of 310 acres from the Techiman Traditional Council for new government institutions. While these expansions proceed, local authorities are also grappling with maintenance and resource management. In Wenchi, concerns have been raised over a newly built Judicial Service bungalow that remains unoccupied and overtaken by weeds, while in Bolgatanga, Municipal Chief Executive Roland Atanga Ayoo has assured residents that a technical team from the Ministry of Energy will arrive to restore faulty streetlights plagued by vandalism.

On the international and migration front, the government continues to facilitate the return of irregular migrants while engaging the diaspora. Recent reports indicate that over 8,000 Ghanaian migrants have been assisted in returning home since 2017, primarily from Libya, with 1,597 returning in 2024 alone. To address the root causes of irregular migration, MP Felicia Adjei announced plans for a new Skills Training Centre in Kintampo. Furthermore, the Diaspora Affairs Office has introduced the 'Diaspora National Service' programme. Director Kofi Okyere-Darko explained that the initiative aims to reconnect young Ghanaians living abroad with their heritage through a two-month cultural immersion and professional collaboration period in Ghana.

Urban management and public safety efforts have also intensified in Kumasi, where the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has issued a final warning to squatters around the Asafo Interchange. Chief Executive Richard Ofori Boadi urged unauthorized occupants to vacate the area voluntarily to avoid criminal charges and facilitate a scheduled demolition exercise. The KMA aims to reclaim the area to combat rising criminal activities, including drug peddling and prostitution, while improving the city's drainage systems. These collective actions across security, migration, and local governance reflect a broader state strategy to improve administrative efficiency and protect Ghanaian citizens both domestically and abroad.